Apaprently the construction work on the Dudley extension is now complete, though from othe rsources I gather there are cost problems to opening it?
From "New civil engineer"
Main works completed for section of Birmingham metro extension
23 JAN, 2023 BY
THOMAS JOHNSON
The main works for the first phase of the Birmingham tram network extension have been completed, allowing a major road to reopen.
Traffic will return to Castle Hill in Dudley town centre from today (Monday 23 January) following the completion of the work.
The extension of the line from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill will include 14 new stops, boosting connectivity in the Black Country. It is one of a number of extensions to the West Midlands Metro network, which are estimated to cost £1.5bn in total and projected to open in 2023. This extension is the biggest light rail project underway in the UK.
The Midland Metro Alliance (MMA), working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands, has been carrying out work on Castle Hill since early 2019, first to upgrade and divert buried utilities in the area, which was completed in summer 2019. In the spring of 2020, MMA returned to construct track bed, lay tram tracks, and improve the street scene with a refreshed look and feel.
Dudley Council cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise councillor David Stanley said: “The metro will have a massive positive impact on Dudley and it’s fantastic that the works here are almost finished with those using the area being able to use the road in both directions again during day-time hours from Monday and at any time of the day or night in just a few weeks.”
After the road fully reopens there will be temporary overnight lane restrictions for inbound traffic for approximately two weeks to allow the construction team to safely install new street furniture. These restrictions will begin by 7.45pm each evening until approximately 6am the following morning.
The activity has been planned in this way to reduce the impact on those travelling during peak daytime hours and is expected to be completed by Friday 10 February 2023.
MMA project director Tom Maplethorpe added: “It’s great that most of our activity on Castle Hill is completed and, for the majority of road users, our impact on travelling through the area will be minimised from next week. We thank locals for their patience and understanding during the period which we’ve been working in Dudley town centre.”
Further traffic changes will be implemented to the bus lane on Kings Street and a section of Birmingham Street, between Hall Street and Fisher Street, which will close in line with the completed design of the metro scheme from Monday 13 February.
This will allow for the removal of traffic islands, the upgrade and diversion of utilities and the installation of new kerb lines, ahead of track being laid later in the year.
When the route opens to the public in late 2024, an additional nine stops will be added to the West Midlands Metro network linking people in Dudley town centre to both Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
